STAND. COM. REP. 1489

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: S.B. No. 919

S.D. 1

H.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 919, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR BIOREMEDIATION RESEARCH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for:

(1) A biotreatability evaluation on sediments from various waterways targeted for dredging over the next three calendar years statewide;

(2) Research on contaminated sediments from waterways statewide;

(3) Small-scale testing, including a twelve-month screening program for plant species to remediate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons and heavy metals, and small scale field-testing;

(4) Collaboration with federal agencies and other states for the planning and pilot demonstration of constructed wetlands at appropriate waterways statewide;

(5) Collaboration with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and other agencies to research host-specificity of the Brazilian weevil and other potential bio-control agents for salvinia molesta; and

(6) The identification and solicitation of federal and other funding for research, development, and long-term maintenance of constructed wetlands and developed habitats.

The Pacific International Center for High Technology Research and Hawaii Water Environment Association testified in support of this bill. The Maui Invasive Species Committee and the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources supported the intent of this bill.

Your Committee finds that with long-time concerns over the preservation of Hawaii's environment, ecosystem, and water purity, along with more recent alarms regarding invasive species, it is in the State's best interest to actively explore innovative ways of addressing these matters. One potential solution is the natural bioremediation of pollutants to reduce contamination of Hawaii's waterways through the use of constructed wetlands.

Constructed wetlands imitate the physical, chemical and biological processes typically found in natural wetlands such as flood control, the removal of contaminants, the filtration of sediments and the provision of wildlife habitats. Furthermore, in addition to removing toxic compounds which may be harmful to water and watersheds, constructed wetlands can also eliminate excess nutrients which may contribute to the growth of invasive alien species.

A constructed wetlands project would consist of three phases. Phase I would involve an extensive assessment and evaluation of waterways resulting in the extraction and eradication of any existing invasive species. Phase II would consist of bioremediation or treating of the contaminants through the natural cleaning system of the wetland. Finally, Phase III would create and maintain a freshwater habitat which could foster and enhance the growth of natural wildlife and ecotourism.

The use of bioremediation can potentially improve and restore native ecosystems statewide by eliminating problems relating to invasive alien species. One need only look to the community of Arcata, California to see the success of such a project. Arcata, after having to deal with mounting sewage problems and the greatly polluted nearby Humboldt Bay, took the forward-looking step of combining the construction of wetland marshes with an urban redevelopment plan. Seventeen years later, the once contaminated area had been transformed into a clean, extremely populated, multi-species bird habitat.

Furthermore, State funds appropriated for this purpose have the potential for matches by existing federal programs such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Therefore, it is suggested that the Legislature explore ways to utilize State funding in order to leverage additional federal and private funds, perhaps through a matching requirement. Additionally, implementation of such a project may include the flexibility to assign appropriate work to the agencies and offices that are able to most effectively secure such funding.

In conclusion, constructed wetlands serve as a viable and low cost alternative to wastewater treatment systems. Studies show that such wetlands can be built for 60%-90% less than conventional sewage plants and can operate at 95% less than mechanical plants. Moreover, the development of constructed wetlands would encourage collaboration between various community and government groups and would serve to enhance and strengthen environmental protection efforts. The appropriation contained within this measure, by funding small scale testing and a pilot demonstration, will help get Hawaii on its way toward effectively preserving our irreplaceable natural resources.

Your Committee wishes to add that although this measure appropriates funds from the Department of Health Hazardous Waste Revolving Fund, the absence of a fund so named in statue precludes an actual appropriation from being made. Your Committee notes that the proponents of the bill have indicated that the Environmental Response Revolving Fund is the correct source of funding, and should be considered in further deliberations.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the appropriation to $1 and by making technical, nonsubstantive changes for the purposes of clarity and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 919, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 919, S.D. 1, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

 

____________________________

DWIGHT Y. TAKAMINE, Chair